Wednesday Wishes

The human spirit needs places where nature
has not been rearranged by the hand of man.
~Author Unknown

I snapped this picture while at an intersection earlier. It was just so refreshing to see something colorful growing freely in an environment that is mostly drab. Just thought I would share a little color with all who are still experiencing cold and snow. This next quote is from the year I was born:

I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.
~Frank Lloyd Wright, quoted, 14 August 1966

Day 17 of my birthday month has been a nice, quiet day. I'd just like to thank all you beautiful bloggers who stop by my little corner of the world. You bring a bit of joy to my day each time you visit. Peace & blessings, Tammy

Tidbits on Tuesday

Watching a sunrise, we open ourselves up to the beauty that nature creates, knowing it will never repeat itself just like this again. ~ Jake Rajs

The past several days here have been warm and sunny. We didn't have much of a winter and we've already had temperatures up in the 80's this week. Yikes! Wonder what that means for the summer months which are already way too hot.

The trees are God's great alphabet:
With them He writes in shining green
Across the world His thoughts serene.
~Leonora Speyer

It was morning; through the high window I saw the pure, bright blue of the sky as it hovered cheerfully over the long roofs of the neighboring houses. It too seemed full of joy, as if it had special plans, and had put on its finest clothes for the occasion.
Herman Hesse

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.
(e. e. cummings)

This old wall can be found just around the corner from us. I love that the family living there kept it up even though a new house was built just behind it.
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Know where to find the sunrise
and sunset times and note how the sky
looks at those times, at least once. (Marilyn vos Savant)

I love quotations and have collected so many. At least its a collection that doesn't take up a lot of space and won't collect dust. Speaking of which, I think I should go chase some dust bunnies now. Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday. Peace & blessings, Tammy

Monday Mosaic

We are not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. (Jimmy Carter)


On one of our trips to Jordan, we got to visit a small factory that makes beautiful mosaics from stones found in different areas of Jordan and surrounding countries.

I just loved the colors in this beautiful tree of life. It was amazing to see how the women cut the stone and then actually laid out their design backwards on a gauze-like fabric using a mixture of flour and water to allow it to stick without being permanent before it was placed in the wooden frame. I had never seen a process quite like it before.

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The design for this one was taken from an old art history book. It is Greek for Bethlehem.

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I notice that many wonderful blogs out there post a mosaic on Monday of theme photos, so I thought I would put my own spin on it. Actual mosaics above -- and below is my wall of photos and decorative pieces from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and surrounding areas, plus a few of my cross-stitchings.

My walls seem to have themes. (Please ignore the intercom stuck right in the middle of it all.)

My home is certainly a mosaic of memories -- decorated with items from our travels or gifts from faraway places that have been given to us by friends. Some have said it is like being in Aladdin's cave. I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Wishing you much peace and every day joys as you make your way through the week to come. Blessings, Tammy

Happy Heart Day!

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. (Kahlil Gibran)

Years ago my mom gave me her set of Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks that were published in 1963.

I was looking through this one yesterday searching for a frosting recipe. It gives ideas on setting the table and provides recipes for a complete Valentine meal.


We don't do anything special around here on Valentine's Day. I usually just do small things for friends. (My friend Melissa gave me this sweet sterling silver heart necklace for Christmas.)

Everyone at school enjoyed the sugar cookies. Always nice to spread a little joy. Tomorrow I will give out the crocheted hearts with a piece of chocolate. Decided to extend this celebration of love throughout the entire week.

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go. Mother Teresa

Sending lots of love and good wishes your way! Hugs & blessings, Tammy

Baking and Surprises on Day 13 of my Bday Month

Today has been a perfect pajama day that included some crocheting, general tidying up and baking.

The kids made their own cookies that sort of turned out looking like blobs. They iced and ate them right away. I made big hearts, double hearts ...

and little hearts. Tomorrow I will be passing these out at school.

Yesterday I promised to tell the surprise of where I would be celebrating my birthday on the 26th. The 25th and 26th here are National and Liberation Days and, therefore, always a public holiday. I don't usually go anywhere because it gets a little crazy with parades, way too much traffic and individuals who think that spraying foam on anything or anyone that moves is a holiday sport. Definitely not my cup of tea. But speaking of tea -- the place we will be going is known for its tea, and before 1972 it was actually known as Ceylon. We will be travelling to another country. One we haven't been to before. Its major products are rice, tea, coconut and spices. Its capital city is Colombo.

In another providence called Kandy, we will get to visit an elephant orphanage and handicraft bazaar.

We've been talking about it for awhile and finally it is going to become reality. We are going to Sri Lanka and we are all so excited!
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My friend Maria who moved to Lebanon sent a gift back to me with her husband who was visiting over the weekend.

An early birthday gift! Perfume and a handwritten note. Lovely!

I hope your day is full of sweet surprises!

Hugs & blessings, Tammy

My Kind of Day

My day consisted of

coffee and crochet in the morning.

A new restaurant for lunch.

Nice weather for dining outside with a view of the Kuwait Towers.

The sound of a trickling waterfall and a view of the sea.

A delicious goat cheese salad.

And porcini risotto. Yum!

Zack's ballgame at 3 pm. This time they didn't need a pep talk as the final score was in their favor 13-8.

Visiting friends this evening bearing gifts.

And now the day is done.

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My birthday is in exactly two weeks from today. Tomorrow, I have a surprise to share about where I will be celebrating!

Hope you are having a fabulous Friday! Warm wishes, Tammy

Thankful Thursday on Day 11!

Hello there! I'm joining Rhondi for another Thankful Thursday. You can visit her at Rose Colored Glasses!

Today starts our weekend and I am so happy for that. Today I am thankful for sight and color and for my camera. How else would I be able to enjoy beautiful things and then share with you.

Today Sam and I went to an Indian antiques place close to us because we needed to buy a gift for a friend we will be seeing tomorrow night.

I could just wander this place for hours. So much to see!

Among the several kinds of beauty, the eye takes most delight in colors. ~ Joseph Addison


I just love the beauty of these rolling pins.

For those of you who are still being bombarded with snow, I hope you stay safe and warm. Wishing you all a fabulous day! Peace & blessings, Tammy

Happy White Wednesday and a little red

I hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday. This sweet little angel was given to me by a friend many years ago. Inside the box is my February birthstone (amethyst).

The picture on the left is of me in August of 1967 watching the dolphin show in Biloxi, Mississippi . In the picture on the right, I am holding my baby brother for the very first time in November of 1967.

Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, as a way of thanking God for the help your angel has given you. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

My previous post is about our 4th grade class spearheading a collection for Haiti victims.

And here's a little red -- tomatoes that I found today when I went out to water plants on our balcony.

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

Peace & Blessings, Tammy

Donation to Haiti

I thought I would share with you a recent newspaper article that recognized our school for it's donation to the International Red Cross Society for the victims of Haiti. 4th grade teacher Angela Langlands spearheaded the collection with her students as part of their community service project. It makes one proud to know that they were able to collect more than $10,000 for such a worthy cause.

AIS students collect KD 3,335 for victims of Haiti
By: Sara Mustafa
KUWAIT: The students of the American International School of Kuwait (AIS) helped raise donations for the victims of Haiti''s earthquake on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The event was attended by the International Relations Supervisor of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS), Mohamed Hassan, the owner and Director of AIS, Samera AlـRayes and Principal Robert Little.
In a speech thanking the students, Hassan said, "Voluntary work is something that should be inculcated in children since the early years of childhood so they are able to grow up used to giving generously. I''m very proud of all the efforts that I have seen from the children today."
He added, "It is a nice gesture from the students to participate. The students'' enthusiasm was very encouraging for KRCS, which has made us consider them volunteers for the society. Finally, I would like to thank the school management and all the teachers for their efforts in enhancing the student''s sense of responsibility toward others."
On her part, AlـRayes noted, "A part of the school''s responsibility is to educate students about good citizenship in order to enable them to participate in constructive activities and become a part of the humanitarian causes."
AlـRayes elaborated, "The students themselves are the ones who came up with the idea of the donations, and it was welcomed with a lot of support and encouragement. The school has collected donations from all students in all grades, teachers and staff."
The event was planned and supervised by Ms. Angela''s fourth grade class and the school successfully collected a total amount of about 3335 Kuwaiti dinars in cooperation with KRCS.
AIS student Ralph Snabian said, "Today we helped in organizing this event in order to raise money for the victims of Haiti. Mr. Mohamed from KRCS came to collect the donations and we managed to raise a total of KD 3335. It was very moving to be able to help those people in need." Another AIS student Babi AlـSabah explained, "We have been sending out letters to all the students in the school and their parents in order to persuade them to donate for the victims of the devastating earthquake. It is very important to help the Haitians as soon as possible as they are facing a huge crisis."

Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows. (Moliere)

Peace & blessings, Tammy

Quiet Time

There's not a whole lot going on around here lately. Work is busy and then there is work to do when I get home. But in my quiet time, this is what I'm doing ...

using up scraps of yarn, and crocheting lots and lots of hearts.

Whatever we are willing for--peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance--it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. ~

Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Wishing you a most beautiful day! Peace & blessings, Tammy

Monday Blues on Day 8 and Memories, Too

Hello there! My name is Baby Beans!

Does anyone remember these dolls? This is Mattel's Talking Baby Beans and I've had this one since forever (well, at least the early 70's when they first came out). I looked up a description for her online:

This sweet little talking baby beans doll is wearing blue pajamas with yellow flowers and a matching bonnet tied with a pink ribbon. She has a pull string and she says the phrases "I'm sleepy", "I love you", "play patty-cake, "go bye-bye", "night night", and "baby hungry".

Yes, Baby Beans used to talk but sadly, I left her out in the rain one nite oh so long ago and that was the end of her speaking days.

September 7, 1971 was my first day of kindergarten. If you look closely, you can see someone just sitting at my feet. It is my sweet Toni dog. She used to try to get on the bus with me to go to school.

I don't have many items from my childhood but I do have Baby Beans. I have a couple of small photo albums that my mom kept with handwritten descriptions by each picture. Ever so often, it is nice to take a walk down memory lane.

Every man's memory is his private literature. (Aldous Huxley)

Hope your week is off to a great start! Peace and blessings, Tammy

Silver Sunday on Day Seven of My Birthday Month

Memories are like keepsakes, always to be treasured.

This silver photo album was given to me by my friend, Lisa, after Yusef was born.

It's hard to see the detail but a picture is engraved on the front as is his name and date of birth. According to this, he was born on a Tuesday. That's something I never would have remembered.

When he was a baby, he loved stuffed animals with big eyes, or in this case, a clown, and he would just sit there for the longest time totally entertained and mesmerized by their faces. Sometimes he would even talk to them.
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Here's a picture of me when I was 6 months old. Check out that long sweeping curl on top of my head. So cute!

And the silver frame holds a photo of my childhood pet, Toni. She was with me from the time I was 2 years old until I was 17. It's amazing how 26 years later, I can honestly say I still miss her. She was the best dog ever. Her favorite song was Shake Your Booty by KC and the Sunshine Band. When she heard that song, she would get on her back and shake her rearend from side to the side. It was the funniest thing ever. The unconditional love you receive from a pet is just so precious. She was a best friend and more for all those years.
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This photo album holds pictures of friends.

Our friends become our families, especially when we are so far away from home.

My most favorite photos are the candid ones. I just love this picture of Sam walking with Zack along the beach when he was about 15 months old. I have one similar of Sam walking with Yusef when he was about the same age.
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Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. ~Pierce Harris, Atlanta Journal

I hope you are having a super Sunday. Speaking of super, it's Super Bowl Sunday. Yusef wants his dad to wake him up at 3 am so he can watch the game. I don't think that is gonna happen. By the time we are up and getting ready for school, the game will likely still be going on. If you're a football fan, enjoy the game!

Peace & blessings, Tammy